I tore my eyes away from my infuriatingly accurate sketch and my eyes landed on Vic strolling into class, Miss. Phillips (the art teacher) in tow. She was an eccentric woman that often wore long, loose skirts and shirts with odd print. My eyes then met Vic’s and I turned away. How did I not notice he was in this class? Well, that may be due to the fact that my head was always down…

“I’m sure you’ve read the board and are aware of what we’ll be starting the day with,” she smiled, clasping her hands and excitedly glancing at the brown eyed boy standing at her side. “Class, this is Vic Fuentes and he’s new to school so please be as kind as possible and help him out these next few days.”

Vic looked terribly uncomfortable but Miss. Philips gave him an expecting look, silent willing him to say something. Vic gave a small wave, “Hi.” Miss. Philips sighed, accepting the small gesture and pointed to where he could sit. He sat at the mini work desk diagonal of mine on the left side and got out a few things for class as Miss. Philips elaborated on the assignment.

I sighed, tearing my eyes away from Vic’s back. I glared down at my sketch and pushed it away. It was clear that I was in denial and I wouldn’t do my best if I constantly picked at the meaning of the picture while finalizing and coloring it. I’d make sure to finish it some other time… With an internal sigh, I was catapulted into my strange and never-ending thoughts.

The class continued and we practiced three-dimensional characters and shapes as well as lighting to make them all the more realistic. I closed my portfolio just as the bell rung and swung my bag over my shoulder, heading to my locker. As expected, I was bumped, careless insults were thrown my way but my face remained somber and withdrawn. I felt no need to show them how I really felt. Unlocking my locker after two tries, I grabbed my iPod and headed to the willow tree I sit under during lunch. I usually didn’t even step foot into the cafeteria- it was the devil’s playground. If you were a loser, food was guaranteed to land on you and people would make it their mission to make it clear no one liked you.

I slid down the big tree and scrolled through my iPod, deciding to just push shuffle. I pulled a apple from my bag and let my thoughts sweep me away, one bite of my apple at a time.

‘Hey… That Vic guy’s kind of cute, no?’ she asked with a repressed smile.

I contemplated for a while.

Well…Yeah. He’s attractive, I admitted with indifference.

She scoffed, ‘Oh c’mon! That boy is down right sexy! You’re just holding us back by pining over that Perry guy.’

Shut up, I snapped with an obvious warning.

I was debating whether I’d go straight home after school when Tony and Tinley stepped into my line of vision. They were both seated on a concealed bench that could only be seen from this tree and beyond. Tinley straddled his waist and his hand was tangled in her long hair, moving his lips against hers with clenched eyes. The kiss seemed hungry and lustfully passionate; I couldn’t tell if it was love at all.- But that could have been my biased judgment playing a part in that observation. I felt my eyes burn and I quickly looked away, hurt. Soon anger coursed through me.

‘Did they have to ruin my only peaceful moment during the weak to grope each other? Is shoving their tongue down the other’s throat in public really necessary? Idiots…’

I knew it made no sense, and I knew my anger was pointless but dammit I was very well in love with him and he’s kissing some girl right in front of me! Then the brooding began…

I can’t blame him though. I’m literally nothing to him, I doubt he knows my name- let alone wants anything to do with me.

Soon I felt that bone-chilling emptiness that often followed a sudden overflow of emotion. This time, I welcomed it.

“Hey.”

My head jerked up and my eyes softened when I realized who it was. I gave a small wave to Vic and looked away.

‘Oh shit! It’s the hot guy!’ she giggled like a fan-girl. ‘Don’t say anything stupid! Or so help me-’

He sighed, “Are you ever going to say anything? I mean… Did I uh, do something w-wrong?”
Vic’s nervousness caught him off guard and I turned to him, my eyes instantly landing on the food stain on his shirt. I leaned over and gently touched it, looking into his eyes and silently asking how that mess got on his plaid shirt. He sighed.

“I’m new. I didn’t know anyone deemed outcasts were harassed in the cafeteria. Guess that explains why you’re under this tree.”

I nodded, feeling sorry that he had to figure it out the hard way. He glanced around and his eyes stopped on Tony and Tinley, kissing shamelessly on the bench.

“Ew…”

I muffled the giggle that bubbled up my throat and covered my mouth with my sweater sleeve.
“Hey! I nearly got you to actually making a sound! That’s definitely positive progress,” he grinned. I gave a toothy smile and a mock congratulating clap, the reddening in my cheeks painfully obvious.

Vic talked to me for the rest of lunch period; he seemed to understand my body language and the shift of my eyes perfectly, driving the conversation as if we've known each other forever. I couldn't help but wonder where the hell Jaime was. He never misses our lunch talks.

'But then again, he’s actually welcome in the cafeteria. Maybe he got tired of sacrificing his social life just to hang out with a mute…Shame.'

Why are you so intent on pissing me off today?!

The bell rang and I stood to my feet, dusting off my jeans and shrugging on my bag.
“Uh," Vic began, clearing his throat and tossing his bag over his shoulder, "Want to come over after-school? You and another guy is the only friend I’ve made today and I'd like to h-hangout,” he said with a small smile.

I nodded slowly, my own smile pulling at the corners of my lips. He gave me a big hug and pulled away to grin at me one last time and skip up the steps to the school’s main entrance. I felt light headed and was well aware of the blush on my face. I muffled the girly giggle, looking around to distract myself from the burning in my cheeks. I glanced around and saw Tony turn away once I caught his eyes.

Was he staring at me?

I think I saw something in his eyes…anger? No, it couldn’t have been because of me. Must be something to do with Tinley…

Tinley.

My fists clenched and I slightly bared my teeth. She didn't deserve being mentioned in my thoughts. Tony can be as pissed as he wants, he has a girlfriend that can make him feel oh-so wonderful again.

'Oh please, you care so much it hurts,' she sung tauntingly.

I chose not to draw out an argument and slammed her to the back of my mind, ignoring her. I headed back into school to finish the day, a little more of a pep in my step thanks to the Vic's invitation to hang out later.

Notes

Sup guys and galls! Lets say, four more comments? Don't kill me!- I just need feedback to maintain an interest in this story. SO yeah, vote and stuff but at least four more comments~ Thanks to those who commented on the first chapter.
**Sorry for any errors, I have to go to work but I'll edit later c: *